Outgoing MP Lucy Allan QUITS the Tories and backs Reform UK

Outgoing MP Lucy Allan tonight quit the Tories in order to support a Reform UK candidate to replace her in her Telford constituency.

Ms Allan, who is standing down at the general election, endorsed Reform’s Alan Adams to succeed her in the Shropshire seat.

Following her public declaration of support for Mr Adams, the Conservatives took immediate action and suspended Ms Allan from the party.

But, in the latest blow to Rishi Sunak during a bumpy start to the PM’s general election campaign, she claimed she had already quit the Tories in order to back Mr Adams’ bid.

Ms Allan claimed the Reform hopeful was ‘genuinely the best person for the job’ and warned against allowing the Labour candidate a ‘walkover’ in Telford. 

She said: ‘I have resigned from the Conservative Party to support Alan Adams to be Telford’s next MP.

‘I have known Alan for many years and he is genuinely the best person for the job. I want the best for Telford and I can’t just let the Labour candidate have a walkover. ‘

Ms Allan added: ‘As a Royal Navy veteran, Alan knows what it means to serve.

‘He is the candidate who is most in touch with Telford people and best able to represent them. He will serve all residents, not just those who vote for him.

‘Alan is not in it for personal advantage, power, or control over people. Alan’s motivation for standing for election is profoundly honourable. He will be honest with Telford and put Telford first.

‘Alan gives Telford a choice, so that Telford does not have to settle for more of the same politics and more of the same politicians.’

Ms Allan had made her astonishing endorsment of Mr Adams in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

She wrote: ‘I am supporting Alan Adams to be Telford’s next MP. If you want to help Alan or donate to his campaign, sign up on his website alanadams.co.uk.’

Reform MP Lee Anderson, a former Tory deputy chairman, replied: ‘Thanks Lucy. A great move.’

Asked about Ms Allan’s revolt against the Tories, Mr Sunak said: ‘I think when it comes to Reform, I understand people’s frustrations, but it is very simple: either Keir Starmer or me is going to be PM on July 5.

‘So if you are someone who wants strong borders and wants to get a grip of illegal migration, if you are someone who wants a more pragmatic, serious, hard-headed approach to Net Zero which prioritises energy security and cutting people’s bills, I am going to deliver that, not Keir Starmer.

‘That is the choice at this election. So for people who are thinking about voting for other parties, but particularly Reform, all that is going to do is put Keir Starmer in power and you are not going to see any change on the issues that you care about.’

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: ‘Lucy Allan has been suspended from the Party with immediate effect.

‘The people of Telford now have the chance to vote for a dedicated and hardworking new candidate who will put Telford first. A vote for Reform is a vote for Keir Starmer.’

Responding to Ms Allan’s endorsement of their candidate a Reform spokesman said: ‘Of course we are absolutely delighted that she is backing our candidate in Telford.

‘She, like many Conservatives, feels that the Reform Party represents traditional centre-right values and priorities in a way that the Conservative Party has long forgotten.’

Ms Allan was first elected as Conservative MP for Telford at the 2015 general election, when she won the seat off Labour.

She defended the seat with a near-11,000 vote majority at the 2019 general election.

The Conservatives chose Hannah Campbell as their candidate in the constituency in December last year, after Ms Allan announced her decision to stand down at the general election.

It is the latest sign of unrest within the Tory ranks following Mr Sunak’s decision to call a general election much earlier than most of his MPs had been expecting.

Tory peer Lord Goldsmith, an ally of former prime minister Boris Johnson, hit out at Mr Sunak and indicated he believed the Conservatives were on course for an electoral disaster.

‘I understand the anger towards Sunak who has damaged the party almost beyond repair and all but guaranteed the majority of his MPs will lose their job next month,’ the former minister said.

‘But it’s hard to muster much sympathy given that none of this would have happened without the complicity of a majority of the party and what is now unfolding was entirely predictable – indeed predicted.

‘The hope is that when Sunak disappears off to California in a few weeks there are at least some decent MPs left around which to rebuild.’

Asked about the Tory peer’s suggestions this evening, the PM told reporters: ‘I am surprised that Lord Goldsmith, who I don’t think I have spoken to in a very long time, seems to have some intimate knowledge of my family’s arrangements.

‘But no, of course not. My kids are at school, this is my home, and as I said earlier my football team (Southampton) has got promoted to the Premier League so I intend to spend many more happy occasions in St Mary’s watching them.’

He added: ‘I was born and brought up in Southampton, I was raised with a very strong ethic of service to one’s community.

‘That is what I believe, that is what I have always done, that is why I got into politics, that is why I became a Member of Parliament and that is what I will continue to do.’

Pressed on whether he would stay on for the whole parliamentary term, Mr Sunak added: ‘That is what I am here to do. I mean, that is obviously subject to my constituents giving me the honour of continuing to represent them.’